Valio, the biggest milk processor and market leader in dairy products in Finland, has chosen Rocla's automated guided vehicles (AGV) for its cheese factories in Finland. In these locations more than 250 kg of milk is being processed annually. AGVs handle the routine pallet transfers from production to shipping preparation. Rocla AGVs feature Valio's product brands as design covers.AGVs have been in full action since last spring. Valio's logistics manager Tiina Kujala is very pleased with the new way of work.
"Before same pallet transfers were handled by man-operated trucks. The premises are often very confined and distances are not that long. The work itself caused stress to employees and a challenge in work safety," remembers Ms. Kujala.
Pallets are being loaded with products in only a few minutes intervals. In order to keep the production line running smoothly the full pallets need to be transported right away to the shipment. In the old days the drivers needed to be ready all the time to move the full pallets to the shipment preparation.
"We were wondering, why should a good employee be doing this kind of boring work phase. We wanted to find a new solution to this," explains Valio's factory manager Heikki Makela.
Makela contacted
Rocla, who took upon this challenge. Rocla's professionals examined the situation and the needs of a customer and came up with an optimal automation solution to replace the old way of working.
Rocla AGVs have fulfilled the expectations. Personnel have been very positive towards the automation. It has increased the work safety in the factory: thanks to the safety equipment and sensors there are no collisions or damaged products anymore. Using the AGV is also easy.
"The whole production personnel participated the basic training and a few persons were trained as main users. At the beginning Rocla's 24/7 helpdesk was also in use, but for quite some time the automation system has been running on its own very nicely," compliments Ms. Kujala.
The factory manager is proud about the added imago value of
Rocla AGVs.
"For example, our American colleagues and other visitors have noticed the new AGVs right away - many of them are still using old technology with these transfers", tells Mr. Makela.
For more information on Rocla's comprehensive AGV solutions please visit www.rocla.com/productlist.asp?Section=477ROCLA OYEmail: agv@rocla.com
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